Sunday, February 22, 2009

Winner!

Thanks for the sweet comments :) I am happy to announce the winner is.....
comment number 2.... Carter!

Thanks for playing everyone! Carter, you can expect a little surprise the next time I see you. I already know what it will be, but I'm not telling :)

Wishing you all a very wonderful Sunday!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Knits and Knots Anniversary

Well, I missed it by almost 3 months! Knits and Knots was one year old on Dec 1st. I can hardly believe that I've been blogging that long, or that there are actually people stopping by regularly to read what I have to say about the fibery world :) I have had a ton of fun with this blog and mostly have all of you to thank for it! Without your kind words, encouragement and visits, I probably would have given this up quite a while ago. So, as a fun way to say thanks, I am going to hold a little anniversary contest. I haven't quite decided what the prize will be, but if you leave me a comment on this post before the end of the day tomorrow (12 am EST on Feb 21), your name will be entered into a drawing for the unnamed prize - I promise it will be good. In your comment, tell me your favorite accomplishment from the past year. Good luck!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Law Relief


It seems as though our voices were heard! The government put a one year stay on the CPSIA law that was going to have such a devastating impact on small businesses making children's items. This does not mean that we're in the clear, but it gives us more time to make an impact for the long-term. The Buy Handmade Blog has some great info on what the law is allowing for now, and how to continue to work towards a law that will be the best fit both for small business, and the saftey of our children!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Monster Cup

Ok, I've been dreading this post because I will finally have to admit how geeky I am. I have had a fear all my life of being "the geek". Here are some examples of what I'm fighting against: I was never good at sports and mostly liked to sit around reading fangasy novels (geeky). I wear glasses (geeky). I push them up with my index finger when they slip down my nose (geeky). My undergrad is in chemistry (geeky). I asked for a palm pilot for my one year dating anniversary (geeky). I married a computer programmer (geeky). I spend most of my free time playing with yarn, the sewing machine, or other various crafts (geeky). If I'm not crafting I'm playing board games. Well, that's not so geeky, or at least it wasn't...

My husband recently introduced me to a new game, Arkham Horror. I initially refused to play it because it is a role playing game (or RPG for you gamers out there), and I just plain refused to add the final straw to the camel's back and forever plunge myself into geekdom. However, one night, to humor my husband, I played a round with him. It was fun. I didn't admit it. But the next time he suggested the game, I didn't say no. Then it was fun and I admitted it. The next time, I suggested playing the game. Finally this weekend we played with a friend. The next night we played again, and my husband pointed out "we're officially geeks". Say it aint so! I say all this tongue in cheek, as I still don't consider myself a geek. What qualifies as geeky behavior changes as you age. I consider myself trendy and in touch with my artsy side ;)

Now, to relate this all back to fiber arts: I made this bag to hold some pieces of the game (monsters). Aparently people use a cup to draw the pieces from in a typical game so its called a "monster cup". Mine's just a drawstring bag.







I used a silk/wool blend (Tahki Yarns Chelsea Silk, shade 180) that was given to me by another blogger friend. I did a sc spiral for the bottom and knit in the round for the body. The top has a k1, p1 rib to bring the bag in and a few holes worked in to accomodate a crochet chain drawstring. I was really satisfied with the way it turned out. It works great and was a fun little project to use up some yarn I just didn't know what to do with, but just had to use! The yarn is really beautiful and I would most defnitely consider using it again in the future for a larger project, but it apparently is no longer made. Bummer!